Stanford Global Health Neurology Program - Rotation

I didn’t know what to expect upon arriving to this sub-saharan African nation with no specialty-trained neurologists. I kept my mind and eyes open and searched for needs that we might be able to help target in low-cost manner. In addition to a plethora of bedside teaching and lectures, what unfolded was the project of a lifetime – the opportunity to redefine stroke care in the nation of Zimbabwe.

Read more of my story, or go to my blog to learn about my personal experiences both in and out of the hospital.

During my time here in Kumasi, I have been the recipient of something I can only describe as radical hospitality. Since the first day that I arrived, the people I have met have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, to include me to social gatherings, and to offer their friendship.

The Department of Neurology has also partnered with the St. Luke Foundation and neurologists nationwide to provide a continuous neurologic presence in Port au Prince, Haiti. There is a tremendous need for neurologic care in Haiti with only two Haitian neurologists serving a country of 10 million people. This need only worsened after the devastating earthquake in 2010.

It was an extraordinary experience. The hospitality of the Zimbabwean people, along with richness of their culture, the beauty of the land is one-of-a-kind. New professional connections, as well as friendships were easily made. Returning home after 4 weeks was bittersweet—I missed the daily comforts of home, but saying goodbye to new friends after just learning about their experiences, and them learning about mine, was difficult. There is already a longing to return to see familiar faces, and to continue to provide the much needed neurologic care in Zimbabwe.

My rotation was in at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi's second largest city. The hospital is a public hospital that serves as a referral center for most of Southern Malawi. The rotation was divided between clinical duties and research duties. My clinical work involved seeing adult and pediatric neurology patients on the inpatient service and in the outpatient clinic I worked with both medicine and pediatric registrars who were eager to learn more about neurology.